Richardson takes over helm of Y-12 on Feb. 1

The Babcock & Wilcox Co. announced today that Dave Richardson will become president and general manager of its affiliate, Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12 LLC (B&W Y-12) on Feb. 1.

The Oak Ridger

The Babcock & Wilcox Co. announced today that Dave Richardson will become president and general manager of its affiliate, Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12 LLC (B&W Y-12) on Feb. 1.

He replaces Charles G. "Chuck" Spencer, who will return to his former position as vice president and chief operating officer of Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Group Inc. (B&W TSG.), according to a news release from the Charlotte, N.C.-based company. Spencer will continue his involvement at both sites as chairman of the Board of Managers for both B&W Y-12 and Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Pantex LLC.

Richardson most recently served as senior vice-president and deputy general manager for operations at B&W Y-12, where he was responsible for production; facilities, infrastructure, and service; and engineering. He has more than 32 years of nuclear operations management experience.

Before joining B&W Y-12, he held the position of president of B&W Shaw Remediation in support of the Naval Reactors Program.

Richardson previously held senior positions at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. His career also includes serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy, including three years as commanding officer of the USS Baltimore nuclear submarine.

"During his time at B&W Y-12, Chuck has made a tremendous impact at the site in operations, safety and security," stated George Dudich, B&W TSG president. "Under his leadership in Fiscal Year 2013, Y-12 employees met Defense, Naval Reactor and Nuclear Non-Proliferation production requirements; achieved more than $50 million in productivity savings; significantly decreased the recordable injury rate; and completed the successful transition of more than 500 protective force personnel into the Y-12 Safeguards, Security & Emergency Services organization.

Dave has worked closely with Chuck over the past year, and that experience will assure a seamless transition in leadership," Dudich said.

Linda Bauer will take over for Richardson as deputy general manager of Operations. Bauer served as vice president for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Services since August 2012, and was responsible for all aspects of facilities management and maintenance. Before joining B&W Y-12, she held senior operations manager positions at the Savannah River Site, Nevada Test Site, Paducah Environmental Remediation Project, and Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride Conversion Plants. Bauer earned a Ph.D. in environmental health physics from Purdue University.

Elester "Lester" Patten will succeed Bauer as B&W Y-12 vice president for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Services. He has served as deputy manager of this organization since July 2013. Paten has more than 30 years of nuclear facility management experience. Before joining B&W Y-12, he was deputy operations manager of Base Operations for Washington River Protection Solutions at the Richland and Hanford sites, and project manager at Savannah River's Saltstone Production and Storage Facilities.